The college football landscape is changing. It always does. Adapting to it is the key to survival. Alabama adapted, Texas A&M is adapting. They’re both undefeated in 2016.

LSU did not adapt. It’s looking for a new coach, presumably one who will.

Texas A&M needed to adapt defensively two years ago, went out and got perhaps the most respected man for the job. John Chavis has come in and done an outstanding job as he’s done everywhere he’s been.

Then a change needed to be made offensively, and the Aggies pulled that trigger as well with the addition of new OC Noel Mazzone.

Head coach Kevin Sumlin talked about those changes and the difference between this team’s 4-0 record as opposed to the previous 4-0 teams in 2014 and 2015.

“This team is physically stronger than last year’s,” Sumlin said at his weekly press conference leading up to Saturday’s SEC inter-division battle at South Carolina. “We’ve got the maturity factor. We made some tough decisions last year regarding our staff, and we’ve made some drastic changes to the player development plan.

“Whether it changes results or not, we’ll have to see.”

Well, so far, the changes are fairly evident at least statistically. The most glaring change for the better would have to be run defense. Last in the SEC against the run in both 2013 and 2014, Chavis came in and bumped them up a spot and out of the cellar in his first season at College Station.

This year, after four games, the Aggies rank fifth in the SEC against the run, allowing just 128.3 rushing yards per game. Three years ago, Texas A&M yielded 222.3 rushing yards per game over that 13-game season.

“I’m really excited about how our players performed in terms of effort,” said Chavis, whose defense came up with a huge goal-line stand that, coupled with a subsequent 92-yard touchdown pass, was a momentum-changer. “The goal-line stand was incredible. It was as big as it gets. They denied them the end zone, and I’m as proud of that as I can be.”

It’s the bend-but-don’t-break defense that is learning to stop the run along with a vast improvement on offense, especially the run game, that is making a difference. Mazzone made it clear that while his approach is a fast-paced spread attack, it’s the run game that makes it go. And wow, how it’s gone. The Aggies lead the SEC in rushing, averaging 269.3 yards per game.

How good is this year’s running game? Through four games this season, it is averaging more than the SEC-leading 2012 team led by Johnny Manziel that averaged 242.1 yards per game.

“I’ve known Noel Mazzone for over 20 years. There’s a comfort level that comes with that,” Sumlin said. “I think there’s a lot of commonality. He brings a lot to the table.”

He has certainly clicked with QB Trevor Knight, who has directed the SEC’s second-best offense that’s averaging 545.8 yards per game. Only Missouri (569.5) has put up bigger numbers. Knight ranks third in the SEC with 1,055 yards passing. He also averages 77.0 yards rushing per game, which ranks 12th in the SEC.

“Trevor Knight’s evolution has a lot to do with his comfort level with the coaching staff,” Sumlin said.

An evolution of the entire team is happening, and it isn’t progressing under the radar. Yahoo Sports’ Pat Forde came out with his four playoff teams on Sunday. Along with Alabama, Ohio State and Louisville, he has Texas A&M playing for a national championship.

“We made some drastic changes to our program,” Sumlin said. “We made some subtle changes to our program. That doesn’t mean we’ll win more games, but we’re seeing a difference.”